Dark Guardian (Black Hoods MC #3) - Avelyn Paige Page 0,23

in and take them off to some foster home run by strangers? Fuck that shit.”

“They need to have a legal guardian, and all I need is for you to prove that’s what you are, legally.”

My blood boils. “You and I both know that ain’t gonna happen. But neither is you taking those kids outta this goddamn house.”

“I don’t—”

“You think some overwhelmed foster parent is going to know that Natalie can’t sleep without the light on? Or that Kevin needs a fan running in his room all night long?” She stares at me, her mouth hanging open. “Will they know that Natalie hates apple juice, but will devour an entire bag of apples as long as you slice them up for her?”

She swallows. “No, but—”

“Will they know that Kevin wants to play football but has never had anyone care enough about him to teach him how? And if they did, would they spend hours in the backyard teaching him, just like I do every single fucking night?”

I’m shaking with frustration and anger as she opens her mouth to speak and then closes it. Pressing her lips together, she tries again. “Look, Mr. Grant, I’m not here to argue the validity of the foster care program with you. I’m here to make sure these kids are in your home legally. And until we can make it legal, we need to come up with a solution.”

I glare at her. “Oh yeah? And what exactly is your solution?”

She squares her shoulders and looks me in the eye. “I need you to hand over the children to me and allow us to investigate the matter further. If you are in fact their next of kin, the children will be returned to you immediately.”

“And if not?”

I’ll give her credit; she doesn’t miss a beat. “They will be placed in a home that can care for them until such a time that a relative comes forward or prospective adoptive parents can be legally vetted and approved.”

Is she listening to her own fucked-up words? “So you’re telling me you want to remove two orphan kids from a home they’re happy in, loved in, and are part of a family that doesn’t inject poison into their veins every fifteen minutes, taking them to some house where the parents are paid to keep them fed and clothed, but couldn’t care less about who they are and how they feel?”

She blinks back at me, and miracle of all miracles, actually seems to be at a loss for words.

“Nah. You’ll take these kids out of my house over my dead body.”

The way she shakes her head seems to reek of defeat, but I can tell by looking at her that she doesn’t give up easily.

Reaching into a folder, she pulls out a card. “Take this,” she says, her jaw set just as tight as mine. “It’s my number and email address. You know I can’t let this go, Mr. Grant. This isn’t over. But if you change your mind and want to cooperate, please call me, and we can hopefully work together. I want this process to be as painless as I can for both Kevin and Natalie.”

I snatch the card out of her hand. “If you take them away from me, it’ll be far from painless.”

“Have a good afternoon, Mr. Grant.”

She holds herself together as she makes her way to her sedan, but I can see a slight tremble to her slim frame. I’ve rattled her.

She doesn’t look back as she climbs into the vehicle, and she doesn’t linger. Starting the car, she pulls away from the curb, and I watch until she’s gone from sight.

“She’s going to put us in a foster home, isn’t she?”

I spin around and find Kevin and Natalie standing in the doorway to the garage, their eyes filled with worry. A tear escapes Nat’s eye, gliding lazily down her cheek.

“She isn’t putting you anywhere. This is your home.” They don’t look convinced, and quite frankly, I don’t blame them, because I’m not convinced either. “Come on,” I say, walking between them and draping an arm over their shoulders. “Let’s get inside and see what we can find for supper, okay?”

They both move with me, allowing me to assuage their fears for now, but it’s not until Natalie’s head rests against my chest as we walk that I make my decision. If Grace Halfpenny shows up here again, she and the case file she lords over us may just have to disappear.

Grace

Between Eugene Grant and Mr. Jackson’s